Dix Mountain #27

(09/28/2014)

I don't know where summer went...

Just as I'm getting started with it, Fall has arrived.

Being optimistic, there are likely still a few weekends where I can get in a hike before the cold, wet or snowy weather brings my hiking to an end.

With the shorter days in late September, Dix Mountain which is listed as 10 hours seemed a good choice. It is suggested that summer is the best season for this hike as the trail can become quite muddy however with fairly dry weather recently it should be fine.

Arriving at the parking area in the dark, I had plenty of time to finish my coffee and eat sugary danish while listening to Vermont Public Radio before heading out. There were already several cars parked and it wasn't until there was more light that I realized hikers were sleeping in a couple of them.

After walking into the woods in front of the parking area and being unable to make out the trail in the dark I came back out only to find the trail actually begins a couple hundred feet down the road.

The sky was brightening and soon the hilltops were lit with the morning sun. Down in the valley though I was in the shade. This was perfect for photos as I reached Round Lake. Once the direct sunlight reached this area the contrast would be too great. But this was perfect.

Round Lake

Round Lake and mist

Trail on NW side of the lake

The colors in the forest were absolutely beautiful!

However, reviewing my first few shots I found that my camera wasn't recording the same colorful scene that I was seeing. My camera's White Balance was set to "Auto". Normally that does a pretty good job, but in this case "Shade" was more accurate. Shooting RAW images allows me to change the white balance later when processing the image, but it is really difficult for me to remember what things really looked like. Getting the white balance right while shooting goes a long way in helping me when sitting at home the next day.

Puffballs

Lean-to at the North Fork Boquet River

Ferns showing Fall color

For the most part, up to this point walking was easy. Few muddy areas and an easy grade. Arriving at the bottom of this slide at about 3,000' the trail begins to head uphill much steeper.

The trail continues up the slide for a few hundred feet and marked with a cairn, turns back into the woods to climb alongside the right side of the slide.

Looking back from the slide to Noonmark and Giant mountains.

Wolf's Milk Slime

Common Hair Cap Moss

Looking SW across Elk Lake.

High pressure and light winds prevented mixing of the atmosphere so the air was a little hazy.

Overnight temperatures were forecast to be in the mid to low 40's but fortunately it was comfortable through the night and I was able to make the entire hike in shorts and tee-shirt. Afternoon temperatures in the valley reached 82 degrees. A little breeze would be nice while climbing...

At the summit.

When hiking I pace myself and rarely stop until reaching the summit. Once there it is time to relax, eat and enjoy the view. Hopefully in a cooling breeze. A comfortable rock in the sun was a perfect fit for me.

At 70mm the distant hills are compressed. The lake on the left is Clear Pond, just south of Elk Lake which is cropped from the bottom right of this image

Original bench mark

Looking west over Nippletop to the Great Range with Mt Marcy

A muddy area just off the summit that could use a few rocks or logs. Getting around it was a bit of a squeeze along the right side hanging onto trees.

This was my first High Peaks hike wearing a Cotton Carrier Strapshot. Link: Strapshot 

It fits to my backpack strap and securely holds the camera, freeing up my hands for climbing or steading myself, but provides quick access for a shot. Before this, I alway had the camera either swinging around on a Black Rapid strap or steadied in one hand. I use a Cotton Carrier vest in my Challenger for aerial photography, but a vest would be too much when hiking.

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Moth flapping along the side of the trail

Irregular Earth Tongue

Tight squeeze...

Interesting bark. I wish I had noted the leaves on this tree so I could identify it.

Variegated leaves changing color on a Hobblebush

I was back to my car after about 11 hours. The hike took longer than I expected. Returning in the afternoon sun the colors in the forest weren't the same as on the way out. Maybe if the sun was setting the colors would return. 

Or perhaps it was me. On the way out I was feeling fresh and maybe a little poetic thinking about writing this blog. Returning 10+ hours later feeling warm, tired and a little hungry the world looked a little different.

A good meal followed by sleep and I am ready to go again...